[2025-2026 Edition] A thorough explanation of events and festivals in Yabu City Hyogo Prefecture !

• Table of Contents
• Spring (April to June) Events
• Summer (July-August) Events
• Autumn (September - October) Events
• Winter (November to March) Events
• For the latest event information, please visit the Yabu City Tourism Association website!
• If you are visiting Yabu City, be sure to check out this article as well!

Spring (April to June) Events

The unique festival that heralds the arrival of spring in Tajima, "Ohashiri Festival" (scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 12th)

The Ohashiri Festival is one of the three major festivals of Tajima, having been held for approximately 1,800 years.
Ten men carry the heavy mikoshi (portable shrine) for two days, traveling the approximately 18km distance between Yabu Shrine and Sai Shrine.

Click here for details about the festival!

"Mt. Hyonosen Fresh Green Climbing Festival" (scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 18th)

The " Mt. Hyonosen New Green Climbing Festival" involves hiking up Mt. Hyonosen , a mountain covered in dazzling new greenery.
This is a popular annual event that is attended by many people.
The course is approximately 12.1km long and is suitable for those with good physical fitness, taking approximately 7 hours.
Along the mountain paths, surrounded by fresh greenery, various trees show off their spring-like colors, and you can enjoy a pleasant hike with the fresh breeze!

For details about the Mt. Hyonosen New Green Climbing Festival, click here!

Mount Hyonosen

667-0324 Yokoiki, Oyacho, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture

Mt. Hyonosen (1,510m), the highest mountain in Hyogo Prefecture, is a treasure trove of nature that is among the best in the Kinki region! The surrounding area is blessed with an excellent natural environment, and the only remaining subarctic wetland plants in western Japan are in this area, and the golden eagle, a national natural monument, lives here, making this an area that maintains one of the best natural environments in the Kinki region. During the green season, many people visit the area to enjoy the views and plants, as well as mountain climbing, hiking, valley walks, and camping. Many photographers also come to capture Mt. Hyonosen, which shows different faces depending on the season. One of the most popular photos is the "upside-down Mt. Hyonose" reflected in the rice paddies, taken from the terraced rice fields of Bekku before rice planting in early May, and is visited by many photographers every year.

"Oya Handicraft Market" (scheduled to be held on Sunday, May 25th)

An annual early summer festival will be held at Ooya Art Village BIG LABO, an art facility housed in an abandoned school building.
There will be a lot of events, including sales of food and drinks, sweets, and handmade goods, as well as workshop experiences, dance and music stages, and a children's craft market.
Every year, a variety of booths gather at the BIG LABO venue, creating a lively atmosphere.
Why not enjoy a relaxing, cozy and delicious day at BIG LABO while feeling the early summer breeze?

Oya Art Village BIGLABO

667-0315 Hyogo Prefecture Yabu City Oyacho Kaho 7

Oya Art Village BIG LABO is a place for artists to experience making art, hold workshops, and focus on various art activities. It can be used for music, dance, theater, and more. It is a place where anyone can feel free to use, and where both adults and children can feel close to art. Why not try your hand at "making! learning! having fun!" in the tranquil town of Oya, surrounded by mountains and full of nature? You may discover something new. [Prices] Exhibition hall viewing fee Adults (high school students and above) 300 yen / Groups 200 yen Elementary and junior high school students 150 yen / Groups 100 yen Groups of 15 or more people

"Morikuni Silkworm Festival" (held around early June)

Silkworm Village is located in Kuragaki, Oya-cho, Yabu City, the birthplace of Uegaki Morikuni, who built the foundations of sericulture in Japan.
Silkworms are actually raised here and you can freely observe them and see how they are cultivated.
The event will be a rare opportunity to see the silkworm growth process up close.
Workshops on spinning thread and making silk floss are also held, allowing visitors to experience the traditions of sericulture.
Why not spend a special day meeting silkworms and experiencing their mysterious charm?

For details about the Morikuni Silkworm Festival, click here!

"RED Fes in Uchiyama Strawberry Country" (held around early June)

Uchiyama Strawberry Country, which is usually fully booked, holds a special strawberry event every June!
In the afternoon session, you can fill up your strawberries as much as you like. You can also enjoy strawberry sweets, fried chicken, and other gourmet foods at the venue.
In the evening, you can pick strawberries and enjoy 40 minutes of all-you-can-eat strawberries. Dogs are allowed, so you can enjoy the experience with your beloved dog!
All-you-can-pack strawberries and strawberry picking are available on a first-come, first-served basis and by reservation only.
Please make your reservation early as this is a popular event.

Uchiyama Strawberry Country

667-0145 1297 Nagano , Yabu City Hyogo Prefecture

Uchiyama Strawberry Country is hugely popular as one of the largest strawberry farms in Tajima. The farm uses elevated cultivation, so you can pick strawberries while standing in an environment where they don't touch the soil! The strawberries grown here are Akihime, a sweet and juicy variety also known as the "king of strawberries." The aisles are designed to be about 90cm wide, so they can be used safely by wheelchair users. Dogs are also allowed, so you can enjoy the farm with your beloved dog! Enjoy the large, sweet strawberries on site. [Experience menu] Strawberry picking experience (includes condensed milk, 40 minutes all-you-can-eat) *Reservation required

"Tajima Picnic Festa 2025" (scheduled to be held on June 28th (Sat) and 29th (Sun))

The Tajima Picnic Festa is the largest handmade event in northern Kinki. It is an event where parents and children can enjoy themselves in a natural setting surrounded by nature!
There will be over 100 booths lined with handmade items, music, delicious food, and exciting workshops to experience.

"Firefly Evening" (held around mid-June)

The Firefly Village in Yabu City Okumeji, which is designated as a Genji firefly conservation area in Hyogo Prefecture , holds the Firefly Evening every year around mid-June.
Every year, countless fireflies flutter about, as if competing with the starry sky.
Why not come and enjoy the sight of the fireflies while listening to the murmuring of the clear stream?

Hotaru no Sato

773 Okumeji, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture, 667-0121

Okumeiji is a village of abundant nature where fireflies fly around the water at night from early to late June, and there are many butterflies and dragonflies during the day. There are also accommodation facilities, and you can experience various natural experiences.

Summer (July-August) Events

"YB Fab's Natsu Fest 2025" (held around mid-July)

The YB Fab Summer Festival, held at Yabu Civic Community Square, is an event packed with a variety of activities that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, including music events.
There will also be food stalls lined up at the venue, where you can enjoy local gourmet food and sweets.

For more details about YB Fab's Natsu Fest, click here!

"Osugi Zanzako Dance" (scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 16th)

The "Osugi Zanzako Dance" held at Ninomiya Shrine in Oya is a traditional festival with a long history and is registered as an intangible folk cultural property of Hyogo Prefecture.
It is said that the dance began when a local village headman dedicated a dance he had learned at Ise Kasuga in Nara to his local deity on his way back from a pilgrimage to Ise Shrine in order to treat an epidemic that occurred in the early Edo period.
Also known as the " ogre Dance," this powerful performance captivates the hearts of those who see it, as if they are witnessing a ogres feast.

"Yabu Furusato Festival" (scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 16th)

As the lanterns are lit, signaling the start of the festival, many people gather, drawn by the warm glow, to enjoy a lively and fun time!
On stage, the children's Japanese drum group "Koi" from Yabu City will perform a powerful performance, and the Yabu City Ondo dance will liven up the venue. The food stalls will be filled with not only the standard gourmet food of summer festivals, but also local flavors.
There will be plenty of events to enjoy, including eating, watching, and dancing! And at the finale, there will be fireworks that will make the night sky look like giant flowers!
It's a lively and heartwarming festival that will leave a lasting summer memory.

"Miyake Mando Festival" (scheduled to be held on Sunday, August 24th)

The Mando Festival, held every year in the Miyake district of Yabu City , is a traditional event in which countless lights are offered to the god of fire and prayers are made for bountiful harvests and safety in the region.
It is affectionately known to locals as " Miyake's Mando-san" and has become a summer tradition rooted in the area.
Every year on the night of August 24th, at the sound of a siren, bundles of straw placed on the mountain are set on fire all at once, creating a fantastical figure-eight ridgeline in the night sky.

Autumn (September - October) Events

"Open Exhibition: Wood Carving Folk Art Ooya" (September 12th (Fri) - September 28th (Fri))

The "Ooya Woodcarving Folk Art Exhibition," which began in 1994, is a representative art event in Yabu City, where warm and relaxing woodcarving works are submitted from all over the country.
The venue, Ooya Hall, will be lined with a variety of unique and memorable works.
A major feature of this open exhibition is that all submitted works are on display, providing a rare opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of unique works all in one place.
The winning works are stored and exhibited in the Wood Carving Exhibition Hall, a small art museum renovated from an old Japanese house.

"Akenobe 1 Yen Train Festival" (scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 4th)

Akenobe Mine once flourished as Japan's largest tin mine.
The Akenobe 1 Yen Train Festival is held every October at the 1 Yen Train Square, where you can experience riding on the Kurogane train, which was the main means of transportation for these workers.
On the day, in addition to a one-yen train ride and a tour of the mine, there will be a lot of exciting activities, including an ore excavation experience, a stamp rally, a bazaar, and more!
This is an event that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from children to adults.
Why not spend a special day here while experiencing history?

"Nettei Sumo" (scheduled to be held on Monday, October 13th)

"Nettei Sumo" held at Mizutani Shrine in Yabu City Okumeji, is a sumo ritual that has been performed as an imperial court ceremony since the Heian period and is said to pacify evil spirits by stomping the feet.
Two male dancers in blue kimonos perform a series of movements with wooden swords, then perform a sumo match. They are shirtless, shout out a command, stomp their feet, and swing their hands down to calm the raging heavens and earth. They then grab each other's heads and jump up three times, and whether they can return to their original positions is used to predict the future of their fortunes.
This "Nettei Sumo," which has been handed down since ancient times, is said to be the prototype of modern-day sumo and has been designated a national intangible folk cultural property and a prefectural cultural property, and continues to be treasured and protected by local people.

"Kuroku Zanzaka Dance" (scheduled to be held on Sunday, October 19th)

Every year at Hie Shrine in Kuroku, Yoka Town, Yabu City , the traditional Kuroku Zanzaka Dance is held to pray for the elimination of epidemics and bountiful harvests.
The offering is a Shinto ritual in which dancers in navy blue sleeves and loincloths perform a dance to the accompaniment of dance songs and calls by four or five singers in kamishimo. It is a beloved seasonal event in the region that heralds the arrival of autumn.

©Sadao Takemura

"Mt. Hyonosen Autumn Leaves Climbing Festival" (held from mid- to late October)

The popular annual Mt. Hyonosen Autumn Foliage Climbing Festival involves hiking up Mt. Hyonosen , which is enveloped in colorful autumn leaves.
This festival, where you can experience the beautiful autumn nature with your whole body, is a lively event attended by many mountain climbing enthusiasts every year.
The hiking course is about 12.1 km long and is a route for those with good walking ability. It takes about 7 hours, so it is quite a challenging hike.
Walking in the clear air while admiring the mountains dyed in autumn leaves is truly the joy of autumn!
The eve of the festival will feature a variety of events packed with the charm of the region, including stewed radish made with the local specialty, Todoroki radish, pork soup with lots of ingredients, and popular Tajima beef steaks. There will also be taiko drumming and jazz performances!
This festival allows you to enjoy autumn flavors and culture along with mountain climbing.

For details about the Mt. Hyonosen New Green Climbing Festival, click here!

Mount Hyonosen

667-0324 Yokoiki, Oyacho, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture

Mt. Hyonosen (1,510m), the highest mountain in Hyogo Prefecture, is a treasure trove of nature that is among the best in the Kinki region! The surrounding area is blessed with an excellent natural environment, and the only remaining subarctic wetland plants in western Japan are in this area, and the golden eagle, a national natural monument, lives here, making this an area that maintains one of the best natural environments in the Kinki region. During the green season, many people visit the area to enjoy the views and plants, as well as mountain climbing, hiking, valley walks, and camping. Many photographers also come to capture Mt. Hyonosen, which shows different faces depending on the season. One of the most popular photos is the "upside-down Mt. Hyonose" reflected in the rice paddies, taken from the terraced rice fields of Bekku before rice planting in early May, and is visited by many photographers every year.

Winter (November to March) Events

"Yabu Momiji Festival" (held from early November to late November)

Yabu Shrine in Yabu City City, known as one of the best places to see autumn leaves in the Kansai region, holds the "Yabu Momiji Festival" every year around November. It is known as one of the most famous spots for viewing autumn leaves in Hyogo Prefecture, and in early November, when it is at its best, many tourists and photographers visit to catch a glimpse of the beautiful autumn leaves, and the shrine grounds are enveloped in a festive atmosphere.
During the festival, in addition to stage events, the organizing committee will be serving matcha and coffee, and selling local products, making it a fulfilling event where you can enjoy the autumn flavors and scenery at the same time.

Yabu Shrine

667-0112 840 Yabu Ichiba, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture

This shrine is one of the five major shrines in Tajima. It has long been known as "Yabu no Myojin-san"(a title for Shinto gods) and has been loved by locals as the god of agriculture. In addition, since the buying and selling of cattle, which are necessary for farming, was under the control of Yabu Shrine, the god of cattle is also enshrined there. As one of the most famous spots for viewing autumn leaves in Hyogo Prefecture, it is crowded with many tourists and photographers in early November.

"TANIGAKI FES" (held around December)

"TANIGAKI FES" is an anniversary party held by the TANIGAKI Izakaya in Yabu City.
The venue will bring together a variety of unique restaurants, apparel, and miscellaneous goods from not only the local area but also all over the country!
This is a special one-day festival where you can enjoy a variety of content including food, music, and fashion.
The event will be held at the site of a former sake brewery that was once known for its "Sanin Bijin" brand. Many people visit the event every year.

"The Hachi Highlands New Year Fireworks Festival" (held on Friday, January 2nd)

Hachi Highlands Ski Resort

667-1124 909-1 Nishiyokokado, Tando, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture

Hachi Highlands Ski Resort located at an altitude of 800 to 900 meters on the middle slopes of Mt. Hachibuse, is one of the leading outdoor areas in Western Japan. You can enjoy a variety of sports throughout the year, including mountain climbing, hiking, and paragliding, and in winter, skiing and snowboarding.

"Maiso Festival" (scheduled to be held on Wednesday, January 14th)

The Maisou Festival is a traditional event held every year on January 14th at Mii Shrine.
This unusual fire festival involves using the flames of blazing torches to strike ogre wearing ancient demon masks and carrying wooden spears, driving away the ogre and praying for good health and freedom from illness in the coming year.
This fire festival, featuring ogre and torches, is a traditional event that is only held at Mii Shrine in the Tajima region, and is full of power and excitement!

"Mt. Hyonosen International Snow Festival" (held around mid-January)

The Mt. Hyonosen International Snow Festival, held every winter at Mt. Hyonosen International Ski Resort, is a popular snow event among skiers.
There will be plenty of events to entertain visitors, including a BBQ where you can taste the famous Tajima beef, and a rock-paper-scissors tournament with luxurious prizes!

Mt. Hyonosen International Ski Resort

667-1126 509 Narao, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture

It boasts a 2.1km long course that stretches from the middle to the foot of Mt. Hyonosen, known as the roof of Hyogo! This ski resort has excellent snow quality and location. The three courses, Romance, Panorama, and Family, cater to a variety of needs from beginners to advanced skiers, and it also boasts the best run in western Japan for basic skiing certification. And it's the only one in Kansai! The first ski racing school in Kansai with a dedicated course, where you can get serious training. There is also a park area, so it's the perfect place to take your skiing and snowboarding to the next level! There will also be a free service for one child for every adult (purchasing one day lift ticket). Every Wednesday we also hold Ladies' Day, where women can get free lift tickets!

"Yagi Ebisu Festival" (scheduled to be held on Wednesday, February 11th)

The Yagi Ebisu Festival, a traditional event that has been held since 1852, is held every year on February 11th at Yagi Nishinomiya Shrine.
Many people from inside and outside the city visit the festival to pray for safety in their homes, prosperity in business, and safety on the roads.
The worship hall is lined with colorful auspicious symbols and charms, and is bustling with people seeking good fortune in the new year.
We hold our annual raffle with prizes.

"Hachibuse Snow Festival" (held around early March)

The Hachibuse Snow Festival, held every year at The Hachi Highlands Ski Resort, is a traditional winter event that marks the end of the ski season. This festival, held to express gratitude to visitors, is full of events that can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, such as snowmobile rides and rice cake throwing where you can win luxurious prizes!
In the evening, decorative fireworks set off along with music will beautifully light up the winter sky, bringing the season to a spectacular close.

Hachi Highlands Ski Resort

667-1124 909-1 Nishiyokokado, Tando, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture

Hachi Highlands Ski Resort located at an altitude of 800 to 900 meters on the middle slopes of Mt. Hachibuse, is one of the leading outdoor areas in Western Japan. You can enjoy a variety of sports throughout the year, including mountain climbing, hiking, and paragliding, and in winter, skiing and snowboarding.

"Deai no Sato Doll Festival" (held from early March to early April)

The Deai no Sato Doll Festival is a spring event held in hopes of healthy growth and happiness for children.
The gymnasium where the event will be held will be lined with over 1,700 dolls, including Gotenbina dolls, seven-tiered dolls, Ichimatsu dolls, hanging scrolls, children's kimonos, and gorgeous hanging ornaments, all donated from within and outside Yabu City.
In addition, the traditional culture of the Deai area, "Kazurahata Clay Dolls," will also be exhibited at the venue.
You can enjoy a relaxing time filled with the history and warm feelings of the region.

For more details about Deai no Sato Hinamatsuri, click here!

For the latest event information, please visit the Yabu City Tourism Association website!

Event content may be subject to change or cancellation.
Please check the Hayabu City Tourism Association official website before visiting.

Yabu City Tourism Association Homepage

If you are visiting Yabu City, be sure to check out this article as well!

Yabu City has lots of charm in every season!
For an area guide of Yabu City and the charms of each season, please see this article.